Residential expansion and water

Subscription Required

Thank you for reading the MtDemocrat.com digital edition. In order to continue reading this story please choose one of the following options.

Current Subscribers
If you are a current subscriber and wish to obtain access to MtDemocrat.com, please select the
Subscriber Verification option below. If you already have a login, please select "Login" at the
lower right corner of this box.

Special Introductory Offer
For a short time we will be offering a discount to those who call us in order to obtain access to
MtDemocrat.com and start your print subscription. Our customer support team will be standing by
Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm to assist you.

Call and Save! (530) 344-5000

If you are not a current subscriber and wish not to take advantage of our special introductory
offer, please select the $12 monthly option below to obtain access to MtDemocrat.com and start
your online subscription

This is an open letter I’ve submitted to the Board of Supervisors. I hope you’ll publish it since I believe it’s a widely held opinion of many people in the area. We need more water, not more residences.

Dear Board of Supervisors:

I’m writing to appeal to you to place a hold on currently approved community building projects and to stop any more. It is unthinkable to me that responsible land management would allow more families by the thousands into an area that cannot support its current residential water needs.

We’ve received a voluntary mandate to reduce 30 percent of our water usage. That means all the lawns and reduction of household water use. I’ve already reduced as much as I can simply because the cost of water and sewer keeps going up.

I gave up the dishwasher months ago; I do one load of laundry a week; I reduce showers; I don’t water the lawn; I don’t flush every time. How much more do I have to reduce my standard of living for the sake of new development? I’ll also be reducing the value of my property if I can’t keeps plants alive. If this continues, I’ll be forced out of the area as will others. That will impact tax collections and many other things, and is probably counter to your goals.

The people in this area moved here because we like the rural area and feel. Gosh. I remember when I came from San Jose and stopped at a four-stop intersection. Someone actually waived me on. That certainly wouldn’t happen in the city — not even in Folsom. Since I’ve been here 20 years, I’ve noticed more traffic, more ozone in the summer, reduced water pressure sometimes, more crime, and generally, a reduced standard of living.

Please take my letter to heart and share it with the other supervisors. I truly believe I am one voice of many. You have noticed the signs lately, right?